Truly the real highlight of the evening was this gem. I received a wonderful Highland Park 40 as a gift from Chris, Doug, and Tom about a month ago as an early BD present. It was extremely difficult to not open this, but alas I did wait, and it was worth it.

Highland Park 40 yr 48.3% abvOrkney

Nose: So rich and spicy, with stewed fruits, chocolate, smoke, a bit of cinnamon, lemony citrus. Just amazing! I think I nosed this for at least 5 minutes before tasting.

Palate: Sweet with some dark toffee notes, dark chocolate, more honey sweetness, citrus (orange), and smoke. Very smooth and well balanced.

Finish: The supreme finish, elegant, rich, long, and smokey. Out of this world.

Comment: Great job Highland Park. And a special thanks again to Doug, Tom, and Chris.

Mortlach 1954 (bottled 2008) 54yr 40% abv

Lowlands

Nose: Wonderful sherry with citrus and chocolate notes. Nice roasted malt with some late wine notes.

Palate: Very smooth & creamy with sweetness in the middle, then some spice, light cognac, and late rum notes

Finish: Medium long, leathery, and dry. Very complex and perky for it’s age.

This was pushing it a bit with all the great ones in the list but I thought it would add a little balance to the evening, along with some discussion

Black Bull (Blend) 40yr 40.2% abv

Various

Nose: Oak, vanilla, and honey with some dry dessert winds at the end???

Palate: Very sharp oak, nutty almond, honey, orange sweetness turning to more rindy and then spice.

Finish: Medium long, intense oakiness, vanilla, with late cereal notes, and very dry.

Some strange complexity and not well balanced. Home Depot aisle 4 maybe?

Bunnahabain 40yr 41.2% abv

Islay

Nose: Opens with some sherry, then citrus, with some dried fruit on the tail. More like a Speyside then an Islay

Palate: Again that sherry and oak stand out, now with some coffee and dried fruit trailing in.

Finish: Medium long, bit liquorice, little dry

Tamnavulin 40yr 43% abv

Speyside

Nose: Grassy, honeysuckle, vanilla, and dried fruit

Palate: Nice medium body, a bit honeyed, fruity, with vanilla notes

Finish: This is like the tortoise and the hair - I got to the finish but the finish did not get to me right away. Kind of sneaks up on you then WOW!

Nose: Unbelievably fresh nose. Summer fruits like watermelon and honey dew mix with ripe pears. Just a very light smokiness and no peat.

Palate: Grabs you again with that freshness. Creamy & smooth with citrus notes.

Finish: Long and warming, sweet in the middle and dry on the tail.

A star!

Brew List

Not for the faint of heart!

Here are the notes...

...but first - a prayer!

Our lager,

Which art in barrels

Hallowed be thy drink,

Thy kegdom come,

I fill thee mug,

At home, as in the tavern.

Give us this day, our foamy head,

And forgive us our spillages,

As we forgive those who spill upon us,

And lead us not, into inebriation,

But deliver us from hangovers,

For thine is the barley, the malt, and the yeast

Fermentation forever.

Barmen

What a grand evening!. In celebration of my 60th birthday we sampled some top shelf selections of brews and single malts. With 6 - 40 year old whiskies and a 54 year old, plus all 100 rated brews, the sampling was superb!

Tastings

Avery “Mephistopheles” Stout 15.95% abv

Colorado

Nose: Sweet, oily, bit liquorice, cherries

Palate: Chocolate, coffee, velvety (oily)

Finish: Medium

North Coast Old Stock Ale “2009 Cellar Reserve”

13.16% abv California

Nose: Nice bourbon hit, sweet, slight hop, caramel

Palate: Bourbon, barleywine-‘ish, spice

Finish: Medium short with sweetness from the bourbon

Stone Brewing Co “Sublimely Self Righteous” Ale

8.7% abv California

Nose: Very hoppy, citrus, fresh and a bit piney

Palate: Hoppy and very smooth

Finish: Short

Harviestoun “Ola Dubh 40” Special Reserve

8% abv

Aged in Oak Casks formerly used to mature Highland Park 40yr old Single Malt Whisky